Article Title

Living African elephants belong to two species: Loxodonta africana (Blumenbach, 1797) and Loxodonta cyclotis (Matschie, 1900)

Authors

Peter Grubb
Colin P. Groves, Department of Archaeology & Anthropology, Australian National University
Joseph P. Dudley, Department of Biology and Wildlife, University of Alaska
Jeheskel Shoshani, Department of Biology, University of Asmara; Elephant Research Foundation

Publication Date

1-1-2000

Abstract

Living bush and forest African elephants, hitherto regarded as a single species, are evolutionarily and ecologically distinct forms. They deserve to be ranked as full species: the bush African elephant, Loxodonta africana (Blumenbach, 1797), and the forest African elephant Loxodonta cyclotis (Matschie, 1900). L. cyclotis is phylogenetically more primitive than L. africana. The implications of this designation may help in conserving these keystone species.

Recommended Citation

Grubb, P., Groves, C. P., Dudley, J. P., & Shoshani, J. (2000). Living African elephants belong to two species: Loxodonta africana (Blumenbach, 1797) and Loxodonta cyclotis (Matschie, 1900). Elephant, 2(4), 1-4. Doi: 10.22237/elephant/1521732169

DOI

10.22237/elephant/1521732169